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 Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:34 pm
The filly frowned at the setting sun. She'd promised her parents she'd return before dark, but night was the best time to be out. Nita loved to explore the woods after the sun had set - that's when the most interesting creatures awoke. Besides, her father was most active at night. Why shouldn't she be? The filly felt more than capable to navigate in the failing light and made her way around the trees towards the sound of rushing water.
It was a waterfall, mostly hidden by thick foliage. The fading sun cast a reddish glow over the water, the rushing liquid sparkling in the dying rays. To the filly it was all sparkling variations of gray. She didn't know what "red" was or any color, but she was born this way. She'd never know what she was missing, unlike her father who became colorblind later in life.
She pranced over to a still pool beneath the waterfall, using her wings to help propel her upward as she jumped into the shallow water, making a sizable splash. Her giggles echoed through the still air.
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:37 am
Like his mother, the little one had a love for waterfalls. He had seen many in his young life, and knew where most were in the nearby vicinity. The rushing waters always had a calming effect on the colt, and allowed him time to gather his thoughts and reflect on the day. With his brother gone, life had been less stressful . . . though Nocturne did miss him and worry.
Would he ever come home again? Would he really be all right when he was allowed to return?
Though they often argued and fought, though the red eyed colt didn't understand why his brother was so mean all the time, he was still his brother. And he still loved him, even if he didn't truly understand things.
But there was nothing he could do for Esper now. Spiked tail swishing behind him, the colt was so lost in thought he almost missed the sound of someone splashing. The rush of the falling water hid many sounds, but it was only when he looked up to see a stranger enjoying herself in the shallows that he gaped.
Who was she!? And what was she doing at his waterfall? Well, one of them at any rate. . . . Nocturne much preferred to call them all as his. His confusion was apparent as he stared, trying to figure out what a filly was doing out this late. . . And were those wings on her back? The cranberry hued pinions looked nothing at all like his brothers feathers or his own leather wings. In fact, they looked too fragile to be real much less able to hold her weight. . . .
But why was she here? What was she doing? Okay, okay, playing in the water was the obvious answer but why? It was late. . .shouldn't she be home? Glancing around, the little one looked for signs of adults or parents or some sort of guardian. There was absolutely nothing. . . . So how had she gotten here? "Uh. . . . "
What did one say when they met a stranger? "Hello there. . ." A little more tactful than demanding who she was, at any rate, and why she was up so late. The little filly was different and new. . . .
Nocturne was honestly amazed. They didn't get strangers in their woods often, much less many his age.
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:04 pm
Startled by the sudden intrusion upon her solitude Nita jumped out of the shallow pool, delicate wings working to support her as she took a stance facing the stranger. She calmed herself, realizing it was another foal. A strange looking one at that, though not much different from her mother. Hers were fragile wings much like the filly's own, but the ones the colt sported looked much more durable and strong. "Hello there," she ventured, moving around the edge of the pool to come closer.
"Do you live near here?" She could imagine little other reason to run into the colt, aside from him enjoying the night as much as she. She glanced around the trees to see if he had come alone, but saw no one else. She gave him a smile, trying to put him at ease as well as herself. Her family lived in such solitude that she had hardly met anyone else. Her mother, father, and sister were all she knew. A part of her was a little apprehensive of the young male, but another part of her was thrilled to have found someone else to talk to.
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Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:04 am
Like Nita, it wasn't often for Nocturne to socialize. Though it was true he was never long without company, it was usually always family. Very rarely did he ever meet strangers or those unrelated to his kin. . . . But the violet and pink legged filly that stared at him now was most definitely a stranger.
This was new territory for the little colt. . . and he wasn't exactly sure how to best approach the situation. Openness and friendliness, right? Or . . or something like that. Naturally he was curious about the little one, and wanted to know exactly what she was and where she came from. . . but. . .at the same rate, he needed to make sure she wasn't lost or in need. That was the right and nice thing to do, yes?
His spiked tail swished uncertainly behind him, and his leather wings ruffled in thought. All right, all right. . . first thing first. She had asked him a question, hadn't she? It wouldn't be polite to ignore her, that was for sure! "Uh. . .I . . I do live around these parts. These hills and forests are my grandfathers," he added with a nod and little grunt. "And we don't usually get strangers," he admitted after a moment, canting his head to the side thoughtfully.
"So where'd you come from?" Blunt? Just a little, though such a trait ran in his family. "Just passing through or . . . are you lost?" It only made sense. Though his own family were often night owls, he understood clearly that little foals shouldn't be out by themselves late at night. Especially in their family's woods. . . . No, nothing would harm Nita while she was here, but she didn't know that and Nocturne understood that most were guided out and back to the plains swiftly.
But Nocturne didn't know the route to the plains and knew he'd get in trouble if he went. Especially by himself.
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Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:53 pm
In truth the filly was lost, but she didn't want to admit that to the stranger before her. She glanced about thoughtfully, trying to remember how long she'd traveled before reaching this point. It hadn't seemed TOO far. "I live nearby as well, though not in these woods," she replied cautiously. She suddenly felt a little out of place roaming about a forest that belonged to someone else. She had no idea places "belonged" to anyone. Did her father own the woods they lived in?
"What's your name?" She couldn't hide her curiosity of the young male and stepped a little closer. Her parents were both so soft spoken and avoided all others... she wondered vaguely if her family had some sort of secret they were hiding. She smiled at the thought. Of course they had things to hide! She heard mommy sometimes talking to the smoky thing that followed her, and there was something dark hidden in her father's pale eyes. Eyes so like her own. "I'm Nita," she said, distracting herself from thoughts much too dark for one so young.
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Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:27 pm
Unlike Nita, Nocturne had a clear understanding of territories and how such things worked. He knew that the Islagiatt herd harbored extensive borders, the fringes guarded by many unknown and shadowed figures. These particular foothills were guarded by his grandfather Azumoth as well as his great-grandfather, Cyn. They were open to any whom weren't out to do harm, though many whom frequented too deep were quickly lead out. As far as Nocturne understood, his family wasn't exactly keen on outsiders lingering for long. . . But they never were cruel nor turned away those in need. They just (as far as the stallion could understand) preferred their privacy. . . And that's just how it went.
His spiked tail swished lazily behind him as he peered up at the little violet filly. Her wings were something he'd never seen before. . . He couldn't help but peek at them in curiosity and wonderment. His mother had thick feathered wings, duel sets at that. And his father and grand-father had leather wings just like his own. . . . So what were Nita's made out of? "Yeah, there aren't many who live in these hills. Mostly just my family," he acknowledged with a small nonchalant shrug. "Did you . . . Did you come here alone are are your parents around?" He canted his head lightly, ears pricked for sounds of another nearby. Sometimes others responded poorly to the appearance of his father or his grandfather. . . .
He sincerely hoped her parents weren't easily spooked. But such concerns were quickly forgotten as he was painfully reminded of his manners. . or lack there of. "Oh uh. . . . I'm Nocturne." He offered her a little dip of his head, short and curt, but remembering it was all in good taste and very formal. Though Numielle often didn't remember, he understood she wanted her family to be sweet and polite. . . And if Numi didn't remember, his father and relatives did. "Nice to meet you." He added a bit weakly, a little smile crossing his typically serious features.
And it was nice to meet another, awkward as it was for the colt. It was good practice. . . If he were to guard the lands when he grew, there was a chance he'd meet many in his journeys so he'd have to learn how to be polite and sociable. "Those are . . those are neat wings you've got there," he mumbled, glancing down and pawing at the ground. He didn't want her to think he was staring, but she was different and something he'd never seen before.
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:29 pm
She couldn’t help but notice his interest in her wings and she could scarcely hide her own intrigue at his. She fluttered her delicate wings, smoke trailing off of them as they settled. “A gift from my mother,” she explained, gesturing at her back. “She is something like you with your horn and tail, though her wings are far more fluttery. I like yours too. ” She smiled warmly at him, her pale eyes seeing in him a creature much like herself- reserved and unused to the company of strangers. “I’m Nita,” she said, returning his manners with a curtsy. The young filly tried to remember her great grandmother and how grand and proper the mare was. Nita guessed she would never possess the level of grace that Alice had, but it would certainly not be for a lack in effort.
The young filly suddenly wanted to ask Nocturne if he was able to fly, but felt a tinge of embarrassment at her own lack of ability. She wasn’t yet very good at flight and she wondered if her delicate, smoky little wings would ever carry her far. Her sister lacked this trait Nita had inherited from their mother and so she couldn’t tell if she was supposed to be proficient at it yet. Looking at this other foal’s stronger wings she felt her heart sink. Certainly he didn’t have the problems she had… She looked down at the ground, twisting her hoof into the dirt, then realized she was inadvertently mimicking the colt’s behavior. She looked back up at him and tried to look normal. “So…. Can you fly?” she couldn’t help but blurt out. “I mean… Can you fly well? How far?”
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 7:23 am
Nocturne gave a small grunt at her smart response, inwardly realizing that his stares were more obvious than he intended. His gaze swiftly averted, a moments shyness causing him to feel doubly awkward and out of place. He didn't want to do wrong by the stranger, but he also wasn't used to being Mr. Friendly and Conversationalist. There were weaknesses that ran in his blood and socializing with others his age weren't easy when no one was frequently around.
He wasn't a lonely colt, he certainly had as much love as he could ask for. But he didn't exactly have any friends either.
"Well they're. . . they're different," he explained, giving a little shake of his head. "But pretty!" He realized only too late that some could take offense with the knowledge they were dubbed such a word. And though Nita's smoke-laced wings weren't something a soquili encountered everyday, to Nocturne, he couldn't help but appreciate such a thing. "Much nicer to look at than these leather things," he gave a little self-deprecating grin, stretching out his leather pinions so she could better see.
Where hers were full of ethereal beauty and mystery, his were something darker, something blood stained and strangely transparent. If Nita walked out of a dream, than he had stepped out of a nightmare. He wasn't fierce and his family were most certainly on the side of good but their appearances often were deceiving. Those that didn't know them well could easily confuse them for the enemy.
So her mother had a horn and tail. . . "Her tail doesn't have spikes on it too, does it?" He queried, quirked a brow at the little one. He assumed it did not but one just didn't know. From what little he knew of his mother, she had quite the extensive albeit mostly unknown family. For all he knew Nita and he could be relatives. . . . Though part of the foal sincerely doubted it.
She was pretty and purple and full of sparkles, smoke and colour.
His family seemed to stick with pale colours, spikes, feathers and leathered wings. . . . Not exactly the same.
Looking back upon the violet one - she said her name was Nita - he watched her mimic him. His little spiked tail swished a bit happier behind him, though he still worried he might be doing this 'socializing' thing completely wrong. Thus far though she had gifted him with a smile and had yet to run off completely~! That was a good sign, right?
"I uh. . . I'm still learning," he admitted with a little shrug. "See, my siblings have feathered wings, duel sets just like my Mum. But my father and grandfather have the leather wings like me, so I have to learn from them." Numielle herself didn't frequently fly and as such his lessons came strictly from others in the family. "I can glide from perch to perch but currently am not allowed to go too far." He grimaced a bit, not enjoying the restrictions his age bestowed upon him.
And heaven forbid his grandfather or father catch him breaking the rules. "What about you? Do you fly?"
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 3:51 pm
She looked at the spikes on the young male's tail as if for the first time noticing them. "No, she has no spikes," she said, though her eyes held no fear or aversion to this trait of his. "Though she has a strange shadow thing that talks to her sometimes..." she trailed off as she realized she was sharing too much information about her family. Her tail swished behind her absently as she averted her eyes. She didn't want the first soquili besides her family that she's met to find her strange. There were so many dark secrets in the colorful filly's family line... so many curses that the little one worried about. Still, along with those darker things there was kindness and beauty and these things gave Nita hope, despite that she could see no color in the world.
If this was the only curse she's inherited she would count herself lucky.
"I'm very bad at flying," she commented, looking back at him as the conversation shifted. "My wings are so fragile. Even more so than my mother's. My sister does not have wings. Mine are the only ones that are so smokey and weak." She frowned slightly. "I can glide short distances but taking off from the ground is nearly impossible for me." She sighed, unhappy with her weakness. She knew she could learn one day to fly at least as well as her mother, but it was so difficult now.
She studied Nocturne for a few moments, seeing in him secrets and darkness much like herself. Were all soquili so full of shadows? Her parents and sister were so loving but Nita knew there were things they kept from her, things that were not normal, but if this other foal were any indication of the soquili world there were shadows everywhere. Was there any such thing as pure light? Nita shook her head, trying to rid herself of these thoughts. Why was she ever searching for purity and light?
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 4:56 pm
It was interesting how Nita feared Nocturne's judgment. If anything, the young filly's thoughts were preaching to the choir - the little foal understood that the vast world often looked down upon those 'like him'. He was different looking and in fact had been told that should he ever roam from the Grove, he might find those who would look upon him as evil or cruel. The little one didn't entirely understand such a thing, especially as he had never done anything in his life to warrant such a label. . . but it was what it was. Apparently, many of the men in his family looked far too much like a kalona for those in the plains to feel safe.
"A shadow huh?" The little colt's ears pricked a bit at the comment, his thoughts drifting only for a moment at exactly what that would be like. His shadow never talked to him, and he thoroughly doubted that any in these woods had shadow spirits to commune with but to each their own. "No one in my family has stuff like that. . . though my mother sometimes tries talking to shadows, none ever talk to her back." He smiled a little at the memory of his pale mother. He loved her dearly and would do anything to keep her happy, just like his father felt. But Nocturne also understood she sometimes. . . . wasn't exactly there. It's what made her special though, and he'd never let any think poorly of Numielle.
The conversation was quick to change from family back to wings and flight. The little colt took a few steps closer, hoping he wouldn't intimidate the smaller filly. Her wings were indeed smokey and fragile. . he didn't exactly understand where the smoke came from nor how they might work when used to fly. "Will they get any bigger, do you think?" He questioned, arching a brow at Nita. "I . . . I'd say I'd help you learn but I dunno about wings like that. I'm used to flapping these," and he gave her a small example. "And I know they're not at all like using yours. But. . . uh. . . . I wouldn't despair!" He added a bit more brightly, eyes lighting with hope. "I'm sure you'll learn and as you grow and practice, your wings should get stronger too. Maybe with some time you'll be a pro when it comes to flight, yep yep!"
Slowly the little colt was opening up. It wasn't easy for him, but at the same time it was only natural. His mother and father were both incredibly social creatures when given the chance. Just because his brother was a bit snarky didn't mean Nocturne had to be. And just because he was out of practice, socially, didn't mean he couldn't be a little gentleman.
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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 5:42 pm
"Er... it's a little thing... sorta bird-like," she explained. "I never quite hear what it says, but Mother usually argues with it. I don't think it's mean exactly, but certainly not nice." She felt a little more comfortable telling him about it. Her sister Nona had a strange smoke that followed her just like their mother, though Nita had never seen any spirits form from it like her mother's. "I suppose it's better to talk to shadows than to talk to spirits," she said, though it was clear from her voice that it was not her mother that she mentioned. Her thoughts trailed to her father whose pale eyes were so like her own. She loved her mother with all of her heart, but she was far closer to her father. Perhaps it was the colorblindness they shared that bonded them, but Nita spent more of her time with him. He was a quiet stallion, but she felt a strength emanating from him that she hoped to one day possess.
So many things she wanted to live up to...
"I think my wings work much like your do," she said, tilting her head to examine her wings. "They don't look to be strong enough to carry me at all, but looks can be deceiving!" She flashed him a determined grin and started flapping her wings, kicking up a light breeze that disturbed the leaves on the ground. Her hooves started to rise, but she only got a few centimeters off the ground before she fell back down. "See!" She puffed out her chest proudly. "What can you do?"
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:35 am
The little colt gave a nod and grunt at Nita's description of the 'smoke'. A bird-like thing that would argue with the one it followed. A small sliver of the foal found himself confused by such a concept. . .certainly none in his family had smoke problems, much less argumentative ones at that! And though his most beloved mother was a bit of a simpleton at times, she at least didn't have such strange mutations. There was something disconcerting about talking smoke. . . But who was he to judge? He certainly wasn't Esper. . .
"I'll admit I don't talk to spirits. . . I guess I just don't know if they're listening and I wouldn't want to disturb them anyway. To each their own though, or so they say. . ." Well, such was a phrase he'd heard his grandmother mutter even if he didn't know exactly who 'they' were.
Swishing his spiked tail a bit happily behind him, the red eyed foal studied Nita's proof that she could well and indeed fly. Or at least flutter a moment. A little smile crossed his features, taking away from some of his intense seriousness. "I . . . I'll be honest, I wasn't so sure how they'd work but it looks like you've the basics down enough." Opening his own wings, the little colt gave the leathered things a good stretch before backing away from Nita a bit. He wasn't a great flyer but he was learning. . .
"I don't know a lot yet but my grandparents and father have taught me some." Nocturne explained mildly, the boy in him not wanting to make a fool of himself. . . especially in front of a girl. Giving himself a little running start, he leapt up near Nita and gave his own wings a few flaps. He managed to glide past her, and stayed off the ground longer than a leap, but being in the woods meant there were bushes and brambles. . . And Nocturne hadn't been intelligent enough to coast WITH the river . . .
So with another grunt, before he glided straight in to the bushes, the little colt slammed on the breaks by flipping back his wings. He dropped hard to the ground before turning to fact Nita, ignoring the slight sting in his legs. Yep. . . definitely still learning. "S'kinda hard to fly in the woods," he mumbled a bit darkly, tail swishing this time in a moments irritation. Stupid trees.
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 7:34 pm
She listened as he confirmed her suspicions that speaking with spirits is not quite normal. She gave him a smile, her eyes veiled by other thoughts. She'll leave mention of her father out for now, turning her attention instead to the young male's demonstration of aerial prowess. She smiled more warmly as he glided past her, then concealed a giggle as he ran into the bushes. Still, he'd done more than she and certainly he'll continue to surpass her as their wings grew stronger.
"That was great," she exclaimed, trotting over to him. "You fly much better than I do," she admitted, fluttering her smokey wings. She smiled at him, offering some respite from his obvious embarrassment. She'd never known a boy her age before, but she was intuitive enough to sense he wouldn't like any chiding for his less than graceful performance. Still, it was more impressive than her display. "Perhaps you can give me some tips?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:19 am
The spiked tailed mutant gave a little grumble to himself, giving each of his hooves a very small (and hopefully discrete) shake. His quick fall had caused his ankles to sting sharply in protest to such a display, reminding the foal that he had better review swift landings.
Little foals weren't supposed to drop like a rock. . . and such a thing could cause injury to an adult! Best break such a display than for it to become habit, or so he figured. Besides which, he didn't need to be lectured by his father or grandfather when it came to the art of flight. Especially in front of a girl.
Turning his crimson gaze back to Nita, he offered a little lop-sided smile. At least she seemed impressed. . . . Which meant he'd done a job well done, right? Right! Take that all ye doubters. . . He'd be a natural flyer one of these days. Nita's expression proved it!
"I don't know about that," he hastily exclaimed, though he couldn't help but puff out his chest in pride. "You'll learn too. I just have had more direction 'sall." And that was the truth. There were a great many flyers in his family which meant he could have a great deal of training. And training was what he was meant to do, after all. . . . If he were to ever become great like his father and grand-father, if he were to ever make them proud, than he just had to be strong! He had to show them that he was worthy, that he could defend their families. . .and even their herd.
Yes, the little foal had dreams of being great but it wasn't so much for the glory or honor, it was just for the sake of being it. When Nocturne set his mind on something he made sure he'd achieve it. "Of course I could give you some tips. We can train together, if you'd like. . . Cause even I still need practice." He gave a small grunt in agreement, before flipping back his wings and stepping close to his friend. "Until our wings get stronger, we'll need a little momentum to help us get started. Remember how I ran? I bet if you gave a little trot and leap it might help. . . Windy days are also great so long as you run with the wind!" Going against it was something else entirely. . .ugh.
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:28 pm
Nita found a smile spreading across her face. The young male wanted to train with her, which not only meant she would get stronger, but also she would get to see the colt more. She was surprised at how happy the thought made her. So this was friendship! She couldn’t wait to tell her sister about her adventure! She was sure Nona would keep the secret, as Nita didn’t think their parents would much like her wandering off at night to do dangerous things with strangers. The young filly made a mental note to speak more about flying with her family also. Her father and sister may not have wings, but every other member of her large family did and she intended to bring some tips to the table also. She couldn’t let this boy be the one knowing everything! She made a personal challenge to herself to surpass her new friend somehow.
It was but a friendly challenge she had for herself. She didn’t mind the boy being stronger than her. It seemed the way it should be, but she didn’t want to be viewed as being weak, either. She wanted to prove she had some things to offer also. “I wish it were windy now, so you could show me,” she said, “but I can try getting a running start. Here, let’s try in the meadow.” She motioned towards a clearing she’d noticed a bit ago. “I’d hate to lose control and find myself in the clutches of a tree!” She giggled and trotted off towards the clearing, not waiting for Nocturne.
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